What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
No key ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropane
Butane
Polyquaternium-4
Isobutane
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingVp/Va Copolymer
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Chitosan
Polyquaternium-16
Parfum
Masking
Laureth-4
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Formic Acid
Preservative
Cetrimonium Chloride
Antimicrobial
Methylparaben
Preservative
Histidine
Humectant
Caprylyl Glycol
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Hexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Panthenyl Ethyl Ether
Water
Skin ConditioningOryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Mel
EmollientUrtica Dioica Extract
AstringentCocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
Polyquaternium-55
Polysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Pvp
Emulsion StabilisingMethyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Oleth-20
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-2 Cocoate
Emulsifying
Quaternium-75
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Silk Amino Acids
HumectantDiethyl Phthalate
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Water, Oryza Sativa Extract, Mel, Urtica Dioica Extract, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-55, Polysorbate 20, Pvp, Methyl Gluceth-20, Oleth-20, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Quaternium-75, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silk Amino Acids, Diethyl Phthalate, Citric Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolPhenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPvp is a water-soluble synthetic polymer and common hairstyling ingredient. It is a film-forming ingredient and used to "hold" specific shapes of hair.
In cosmetics, PVP helps products like sunscreens and color cosmetics last longer and wear more evenly.
It is less effective in high-humidity. It tends to draw moisture, but this moisture dismantles the structure and "hold".
PVP is generally well tolerated on skin and toxicity studies are negative for dermal irritation.
Learn more about PvpWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
